Audi warranty - do I extend?

[rs4nick]

Sorry as I'm sure this has been covered before but wanted to put it out there as there is always so much good advice from you all!

Just coming up to 1 years ownership of my RS4 avant and had the renewal letter through for the warranty. Having gone on line for the quote, there is the option of Comprehensive or Named Component. The difference is £300 and based on the summary it seems that the only difference is cover on the Audio Equip and Window regulator - doesn't seem major given I hardly listen to music as have the V8 soundtrack! So couple of questions:

1. Do people bother with the warranty or put the money aside? (only warranty work in last year has been an aux rad)
2. If taking a warranty, do people generally go for the Comprehensive or the Named Component?

Any views or comments welcome. Thanks!

[Steve_C]

No warranty for me - not a fan of them generally plus I only do 5k miles pa.

[P_G]

+1 Coming into my 2nd complete year of not having a warranty and touch wood whilst I write this nothing that would be fixed by a warranty has failed and that has been doing 15+k miles per year for those two years.

Keep the money aside but if you don't know a good independent or can source parts inexpensively then opt for thew warranty. The cost is essentially for reassurance and lack of hassle factor.

[rs4nick]

Don't do too many miles myself, about 8k so am tempted to just keep money to one side

[S14]

Id keep the money aside should you need it..generally bullet proof engine if treated sympathetically ie warm up/cool down etc

As said above a good independent would be your best bet should you need..hopefully not though

[Ollieb7]

I'm having this quandry. Currently there is the intermittent power flap issue and it does seem that the odd thing crops up now and again with these cars. However the prices are such that it does make you wonder about the value of the warranty vs the expectation that you should just make sure you have access to finances if you so need...

[HYFR]

Yes you should extend the warranty and yes you should go fully comp and with the highest excess

My aux rads were not covered by the named component audi warranty so don't be fooled that there is not much difference

Oh and have you all forgotten the DRC ticking time bomb?

5year plus RS = warrÀnty or deep pockets

ALL IMHO

[sonny]

1+ on what DK says.

If my car was not modified I would extend. I paid for extended warranty in the cars 4th year, and a few weeks later my clutch went. nearly 2k worth paid out on warranty.

[P_G]

Put that into perspective though dk.

Aux rads, £500-700 inc. parts and fitting?
DRC (if it does go and the Gen III dampers have had no reported failures) £200 per strutt, £250 for a pair of valves, £300-400 Audi labour for fitting and repressurisation.
Clutch £800-900 including parts and fitting
Inlet Manifold including new genuine Audi sourced IM £1500-1800 including fitting

Granted the prices on most items would be a lot more if the work was done by Audi. You would have to be bloody unlucky for more than one of these to go in a year.

Versus £1800 for one years warranty.

I take the point that some buyers will want a warranty come sale time however as you have also pointed out some are not worth the paper they are written on and people still have to pay out, IM's included.

All opinions are worth sharing .

[sonny]

That's my mindset now. However when I renewed the warranty was only £1250. (including Audi assist).

[P_G]

If it were still £1250 or less I would be seriously considering it also, but now that is it £1800 per annum and likely to rise that is a lot of money missing from my pocket I could do other things with. It's almost as though Audi don't want the extended warranty work anymore....

[sonny]

It seems that way, its a joke.

[HYFR]

Its not £1800 if you go for the highest excess, its more like £1,200

At the end of the day, a warranty is just an insurance product, so it comes down to how risk averse you are and whether you like to take a gamble

It also however has qualitative benenfits such as added resale value, peace of mind, ease of repaid

Also comes with a rock solid recovery service,best out there imo

And the Audi Mondial product is the most bullet proof warrÀnty around, it might not be perfect but its the best available

If it were me, I would extend, with the highest excess

Then just go out and drive your car to the max

[PeteS4]

I extended mine at the beginning of April. Went for fully comp with RAC breakdown and £300 excess. Came out at £999.

Gives me peace of mind. The car will be 5 years old in November, so at least the DRC will be covered until April next year.

[Steve_C]

At the end of the day, a warranty is just an insurance product, so it comes down to how risk averse you are

Risk profile is what it all boils down to. However, bear in mind that warranty companies exist to make a profit - they can only do that if the customer loses out (on average). Only if you think that your car is more likely (than the average RS4) to break down would a warranty be financially viable.

It also however has qualitative benenfits such as added resale value, peace of mind, ease of repaid

Resale value is only relevant if you intend selling the car in the next year. Ease of repair is harder with all warranty companies compared to paying out of your own slush fund.

Also comes with a rock solid recovery service

This can be bought separately (which I have done) so not a selling point for the warranty just another cost to factor in.[/quote]

I haven't had a warranty for 12 months now and have had no breakdowns [touches wood] so depending on which warranty is in mind, I am anywhere from £750 to £1800 in credit.

All IMHO of course!